DA-1

NAME-RISHAV KUMAR
REG NO-17BCM0026
SLOT-E1
COURSE-POLYMER TECHNOLOGY
COURSE CODE- CHE1019
DATE-20-01-19
1)Explain the different methods or techniques for
characterization of polymers.
2)How do you measure the mechanical properties of
different types of polymers?

The characterization of mechanical properties in polymers typically

refers to a measure of the strength, elasticity, viscoelasticity, and
anisotropy of a polymeric material. The mechanical properties of a
polymer are strongly dependent upon the Van der Waals
interactions of the polymer chains, and the ability of the chains to
elongate and align in the direction of the applied force. Other
phenomena, such as the propensity of polymers to form crazes can
impact the mechanical properties. Typically, polymeric materials are
characterized as elastomers, plastics, or rigid polymers depending
their mechanical properties.
The tensile strength, yield strength, and Young's modulus are
measures of strength and elasticity, and are of particular interest for
describing the stressstrain properties of polymeric materials. These
properties can be measure through tensile testing. For crystalline or
semi crystalline polymers, anisotropy plays a large role in the
mechanical properties of the polymer. The crystallinity of the
polymer can be measured through differential scanning calorimetry.
For amorphous and semi crystalline polymers, as stress is applied,
the polymer chains are able to disentangle and align. If the stress is
applied in the direction of chain alignment, the polymer chains will
exhibit a higher yield stress and strength, as the covalent bonds
connecting the backbone of the polymer absorb the stress. However,
if the stress is applied normal to the direction of chain alignment, the
Van der Waals interactions between chains will primarily be
responsible for the mechanical properties and thus, the yield stress
will decrease. This would be observable in a stress strain graph found
through tensile testing. Sample preparation, including chain
orientation within the sample, for tensile tests therefore can play a
large role in the observed mechanical properties.
3)Practical significance of molecular weight of polymer.

A polymer's molecular weight is the sum of the atomic weights of

individual atoms that comprise a molecule. It indicates the average
length of the bulk resin's polymer chains. Not all polymer molecules
of a particular grade have the exact same molecular weight. There is
a range or distribution of molecular weights. The average molecular
weight can be determined by several methods. Low molecular
weight polyethylene chains have backbones as small as 1000 carbon
atoms long. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene chains can
have 500,000 carbon atoms along their length. Many plastics are
available in a variety of chain lengths, or different molecular weight
grades. These resins can also be classified indirectly by a melt or
solution viscosity value, rather than molecular weight. Within a resin
family, such as polycarbonate, higher molecular weight grades have
higher melt viscosities. For example, in the viscosity test for
polycarbonate, the melt flow rate (MFR) ranges from approximately
4 g/10 min for the highest molecular weight to standard grades with
MFR>60 g/10 min for the lowest molecular weight, high flow, and
specialty grades.

Selecting the correct molecular weight for injection molding

application generally involves a balance between filling ease and
material performance. If the application has thin-walled sections, a
lower molecular weight/lower viscosity grade offers better flow. For
normal wall thicknesses, these resins also offer faster mold cycle
times and fewer molded-in stresses. The stifferflowing, high
molecular weight resins offer the ultimate material performance,
being tougher and more resistant to chemical and environmental
attack.
4) Explain the different types of poly-condensation
process.

Condensed molecules that are released to the environment, due to

the polycondensation process depends on the nature of the
monomers that will bond in order to made the polymer, for
example, silicone-based adhesives of 2 components that are
produced during the poly-condensation reaction curing stage
emitted alcohols to the environment, as the result of the
condensed molecules produced during the poly-condensation
reaction.
Condensed molecules that arise during the poly-condensation
process are molecules with low molecular weight such as water,
hydrogen chloride, alcohols, etc. ., which are in gaseous state,
separating from the resulting polymer via evaporation.
5 )Explain the properties of the polymer when it passes
from one state to another.
The properties of polymer can be altered in a number of ways. This
information sheet describes four of them.
Plasticisers A plasticiser is a small molecule that can be put in between the
large molecules of a polymer. The plasticiser acts a little bit like oil in a car
engine – it helps the polymer molecules slide over each other easily. Without
the plasticiser the molecules attract each other and tend to stick together.
This gives the substance a rigid structure which might make it useful in
construction. The plasticiser changes the properties of the substance and
allows it to be used for a wider range of things.
Branching chains Polymers are usually made by heating the monomer and
passing it over a catalyst. The sort of catalyst used can affect how much the
polymer chain branches. Polymer branches are like the branches of a tree –
they are made of the same stuff as the main chain but go off in a different
direction. If the polymer chains have no branches, they pack in close to each
other and the material has a high density. The chains can pass over each
other easily so the material is very stretchy. If the polymer chains have a lot of
branches then the chains cannot pack together as closely and the material
has a lower density. The branches catch on each other, preventing the chains
from sliding easily past one another. This makes the plastic less stretchy.
Cross-linking Rubber and some other polymers can be cross-linked. A
chemical reaction takes place that connects the chains to each other
permanently. This makes the whole structure more rigid and less elastic. It
also makes the material a lot stronger and harder. Vulcanised rubber is cross-
linked using sulphur. Some of the structures inside your body are held
together in the same way because proteins can be cross-linked with sulphur
too.
The length of the polymer chains Long chains get tangled up in each other
and stick together far more than short chains. This means that polymers
made of long chain molecules have higher melting points than those made of
short chains. Shorter molecules can pass over each other more easily so
materials made of these molecules are softer and more ‘squishy’.
 6. Explain the factors influencing the glass transition
temperature.

When plastic or rubber is cooled up to certain temperature, it becomes so hard

and brittle that it breaks into pieces on application of stress.
The temperature below which the polymer becomes hard, brittle and glassy
and above which it is softener and flexible, is known as glass transition
temperature (TG).
The glass transition is a property of only amorphous portion of a
semicrystalline solid. The crystalline portion remains crystalline during the
glass transition.

When a polymer is heated beyond TgTg,TgTg, it passes from glassy state to

rubbery state. Further heating much above, causes melting of the polymer and
it starts flowing and it starts flowing. The temperature below which the
polymer is in rubbery state and above which it is a liquid is called melting
temperature of the polymer, while the temperature at which the polymer
starts flowing is known as its flow temperature. Factors affecting glass
transition temperature are-
1) Chain Stiffness-Stiffening groups: in the polymer chain reduce the flexibility
of the chain and raise the value of TgTg .

poly(ethylene terephthalate) Tg=69oCTg=69oC 2)

Intermolecular Forces-
Stronger intermolecular forces lead to a higher Tg. PVC has stronger
intermolecular forces than polypropylene because of the dipole-dipole forces
from the C-Cl bond.

Atactic Polypropylene Tg=−20oCTg=−20oC

3) Pendant Groups-
The influence of pendant groups on the glass transition temperature is
somewhat more complicated.

1. Bulky pendant groups, such as a benzene ring, can catch on neighboring

chains like a "fish hook" and restrict rotational freedom34freedom34.
This increases TgTg.

Atactic Polypropylene Tg=−20oCTg=−20oC

4) Cross-Linking-
The presence of cross-links between chains restricts rotational motion and
raises Tg.
5) Plasticizers-
Plasticizers are low molecular weight compounds added to plastics to increase
their flexibility and workability. They weaken the intermolecular forces
between the polymer chains and decrease Tg.
Signification of Tg
• Molecular weight- GTT (glass transition temperature) is directly proportional
to molecular weight of polymer.
• Cross links- GTT is directly proportional to degree of cross links
• Flexibility- GTT is inversely proportional to flexibility.
• Plasticizer – GTT is inversely proportional to plasticization.
• Inter molecular force – GTT is directly proportional to intermolecular force.
7.)Explain the effects of crystallinity on the properties of
polymers .

Crystallinity is the arrangement of polymer in a well mannered

behavior.

if you see this structure the regular line represent the crystalline
phase and irregular is the non-crystalline phase. when you
increase the crystalline phase your polymer will become more
brittle, which increases its mechanical strength modulus but
reduces its toughness. It also increases its chemical resistance
and melting temperature because with increase in regularity it
will be hard for any solvent to diffuse in it and for heat it to
break all the bonds which will increase the temperature.